Computers in Education

Computers are used in education in the following technologies: CD-ROM, interactive video, computer-assisted learning, multimedia, distance learning (where students and their tutor connect their computers via modem and telephone lines), etc.

Computers could be used to teach such courses as programming, writing, mathematics, languages, etc. There may be computers available for students to use on their own, in the library or in a media center. Many libraries have computerized catalogues.

The term ‘’educational technology’’ covers many areas, including the use of computers and interactive video in education.

The word CALL stands for Computer Assisted Language Learning. CALL has certain advantages and disadvantages as a way of learning foreign languages. Its main advantages are the following: software often provides instant feedback, students can learn at their own pace, students can control their progress, computers don’t get tired, content can be customized to suit particular needs’ gaining computer literacy is a desirable skill in today’s world.

CALL’s main disadvantages: the training can be impersonal, some students (and teachers) have difficulty adapting to machines, and computers cannot answer all the student’s questions.

Is it possible that one day language teachers will be completely replaced by computers?

The answer is NO because computers are unlikely to be able to provide the same interactions as a human being can in terms of variety of responses, feedback on points that are not included in the software package, etc. A teacher will probably know more about language and how it is used than the programmed software available for computers. Teachers can intervene at any time to help students with any problem, no matter when it comes up.

Most educational software fails because it cannot easily adapt to the pace of the student and cannot adequately interact with the student in the way that a teacher can. If you could make educational software as absorbing as games software and teach at the same time, this would be ideal.